Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Changing boundaries

Review of Melbourne City Council's external boundaries must be broadened to include Prahran, South Yarra, and Carlton

The Bracks Government's ability to reinvent and rejuvenate itself is an important attribute of good goverance. The changes to the cabinet line up is a positive move and a new direction for the Labor Government and new faces and fresh talent take on the task of providing policy renewal and reform.

Candy Broad did not address the many issues still facing local government. There is a need not just to regularly review the internal representative boundaries of Local government but a need for further review of external boundaries as well.

The City of Melbourne is on such example. If it was not for Bronwyn Pike's commitment to review the City of Melbourne boundaries in respect for Kensington she would have been in a much closer fight to retain her seat.

Any review of the City of Melbourne external boundaries should not just be limited to Kensington. Carlton, Prahran and South Yarra should also be under consideration and opportunity provided to seek all residents' opinions and views on the creation of a Greater City of Melbourne. Democracy is about giving a voice to the people. Kensington residents' and others, myself included, have been calling for a review of the City's external boundaries ever since the Labor Government obtained office.

To deny the community the opportunity to have their proposals heard and acted on is a denial of representation and the right of the community to self determination on how best they are governed.

This issue must be put back on the agenda and the State Government has a clear mandate to do exactly that.